Minimal Wave is proud to present a full length LP by French duo Deux. Gérard Pelletier and Cati Tete formed Deux after meeting in Lyon in 1981. Their music can be described as minimal synth with stripped down rhythm compositions and suitably cold duets. Their influences are a perfect blend of Kraftwerk and French synthpop.
Between 1983 and 1992, they released a cassette and several rare singles : Felicita / Game & Performance and Europe / Paris / Orly. They also appeared on the V/A BIPP LP (2006) and most recently on V/A The Minimal Wave Tapes: Vol 1 LP. The album features newly remastered demo tracks as well as their best studio recordings. Check out their Felicita video linked below. This LP is a hand numbered limited second edition, pressed on 180 gram vinyl, housed in a heavy matte jacket lined in pink and accompanied by an insert in loving memory of Gérard.
R.I.P. Gérard Pelletier (1952-2013)

Reviews

Another great find from Minimal Wave, this one a blend of studio and demo tracks (made after meeting in 1981) from synthwave/pop duo Deux, entitled Decadence. Surprisingly, the excellent reissue label (with the occasional new artist) is maintaining their quality while also pushing a healthy bit of diversity, and this record bears the honorable title of Minimal Wave’s most warm and inviting release to date.

Deux’s style can be hard to pin down; theirs is a rare combination of Kraftwerk precision (ranging from their upbeat pop to the more dramatic sounds) and a coldwave coolness flavored by the vibe of French songwriters like Serge Gainsbourg and Francoise Hardy (with the expected omission of any annoying, overtly ‘60s sounds). There is at times a basic similarity to Stereo Total (listen to “Paris Orly”) as well as Gina X, but the comparison only goes so far, as Deux are utterly elegant and cool. They never allow their songs to go into the hyper, spazzy new wave pogo cliché zone. “Dance With Me” is a perfect example of a Kraftwerk/Serge collaboration. “La Camion” comes across like a Francoise Hardy/Gainsbourg duet for some lost film’s end credits. “Sex and Trouble” almost sounds like a French take on the darker side of Altered Images (no squeaking voices here though).

Aside from these, the best final comparison I can make is to fellow Minimal Wavers, Linear Movement. There is just something about a male/female duo that can writes such varied, elegant songs, as sultry and sexy as they are cool and laid back. It’s also worth pointing out that though these are synthpop songs that are completely authentic and of the time, the band are not nearly as obsessed with over-arching dramatic synth and bleepy robot pop as was typical. While many of their peers could be accused of being drenched in stylization, Deux manage to infuse the qualities of their genre with a rare degree of intimacy. For mature audiences only perhaps? Recommended!